Tonight in the NBA: Heat look to take 3-1 lead

As the NBA Finals rolls on, the analysis of the Sixers’ roster and front office continues as well.

With the June 28 NBA draft just days away, John Gonzalez wonders if the Sixers should put head coach Doug Collins in control of the franchise (see story).

Also, check out a scouts' take of Duke guard Austin Rivers (see story) and North Carolina center Tyler Zeller (see story), two players who may be available to the Sixers when they make the 15th overall selection in the draft.

Here is what to look out for in NBA Finals action Tuesday night:

Thunder at Heat, 9 p.m.
The Miami Heat look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 of the NBA Finals Tuesday night.

Miami has been in this situation before. For the second straight year, the Heat hold a 2-1 lead in the finals.

Yet, with LeBron James playing perhaps the best basketball of his career, the scenario seems much different than a year ago when Miami dropped Game 4 to the Dallas Mavericks.

"We're a totally different team than we was last year when we was up 2-1," James said Monday. "We're a totally different team. We understand what it takes to win, we've used that motivation, and we will continue to use that motivation.

“But last year is last year, and we're not going into a Game 4 on someone else's floor. We're going into a Game 4 on our floor with a lot of experience in this type of situation. We'll be ready. We love the challenge."

LeBron has clearly been up to the challenge, averaging 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 4 assists through three finals games. He also is 25 of 29 from the free throw line.

The Thunder hope to improve on the mistakes they made down the stretch in Sunday’s Game 3, which the Heat won 91-85.

Oklahoma City blew a 10-point lead in the third quarter as Kevin Durant watched from the sidelines in foul trouble. With 5:41 left in the third, Durant picked up his fourth foul.

The team also went 15 of 24 (62.5 percent) from the free throw line on Sunday. During the regular season, the Thunder shot 80.6 percent from the charity stripe.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.